Download - Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

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For Immediate Release
October 17, 2014
Contact Sharon Kunkel, Wordslinger Marketing & PR, 941-928-2049 or
[email protected]
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS OPENS ANNIVERSARY SEASON AT
WESTCOAST BLACK THEATRE TROUPE
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, under the leadership of Nate Jacobs, Artistic Director
and Richard M. Parison, Jr., Executive Director, opened its 2014-15 season with Little
Shop of Horrors, one of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows of all time. The show
opened on Friday, October 17th and will run thru Sunday, November 16th. Performances
are at the WBTT Theater, 1646 10th Way, in Sarasota. The street was temporarily
renamed Nate Jacobs Way, in honor of WBTT’s founding artistic director and the
theater’s 15th year anniversary. Showtimes are Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 pm with
a Sunday matinee at 2:00. Due to high ticket demand, the schedule includes three
Saturday matinees at 2:00 pm. Those dates are November 1st, November 8th and
November 15th. Individual tickets cost $29.50 and may be purchased online at
wbttsrq.org or by calling the box office,941-366-1505.
“Little Shop of Horrors is a very funny musical spoof on the popular, 1950s-era,
sci-fi movies,” remarked Nate Jacobs, artistic director. “It’s a play I have seen many
times and each and every time, have come away smiling. The music has always featured
African American singers, as the songs are in tune with the Motown era, perfect for our
Troupe. What’s new is that, to my knowledge, there has never been an entire African
American cast playing every character. The New York City setting is a melting pot of
cultures and our version of the play represents that environment. It works well and we are
excited to have our audiences experience Little Shop, WBTT-style.”
Cast members include a combination of well-known Troupe members and others
who have been on the WBTT stage throughout the years but less frequently. All are wellseasoned local actors. Those who will be most recognized by WBTT regulars are Ariel
Blue, Earley Dean, Naarai Jacobs, Michael Mendez and Tsadok Porter. Returning to the
WBTT stage is Michael Kinsey, an early regular with the Troupe. Other WBTT actors
rounding out the cast are Emmanuel Cadet, Santoy Campbell, Derric Gobourne, Jr.,
Marta McKinnon and Janesia Shanae. Also new is Musical Director Mark Galinovsky,
who comes from New York City. Costumes are by Christie Owen, who has designed
many of the shows in the last few years. Set design is by Donna Buckalter, locally known
but doing her first WBTT production. Michael Pasquini is lighting designer. The
Director of Little Shop of Horrors is Harry Bryce, a regular WBTT guest director who
has worked with the Troupe on many of their hit musicals.
“The cast has taken this musical play and had a great time with it,” remarked
Byrce. “You would think it was written just for them. I think our audiences are going to
have a great time at WBTT’s Little Shop of Horrors.
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About WBTT: The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida, Inc. (WBTT) is the only
professional black theater company on Florida’s West Coast. The mission is to “produce plays
that promote and celebrate the African-American experience, attract diverse audiences, while
using its productions as a vehicle for supporting African-American artists and building the selfesteem of African-American youth.” Throughout the past decade, WBTT has produced many
productions and has gained a reputation for high quality, thought-provoking and entertaining
performances. Since its inception, WBTT has mentored and inspired many African-American
youth. Many of the aspiring professional artists trained in the WBTT performing arts program
have gone on to work with national and regional companies, including Apphia Campbell who
most recently has been seen performing her one-woman show, Black is the Color of My Voice, in
Shanghai and New York and Teresa Stanley who was a featured cast member on Broadway in
The Color Purple and presently stars in Rock of Ages. For more information on WBTT, visit the
website at www.wbttsrq.org follow on Facebook or Twitter or call 941-366-1505.